The STISD Board of Directors approved the 2016-17 school year calendar and employee legend during the April 26 meeting.

In the creation of the calendar, campuses brought forth to the district’s Educational Improvement Council (EIC) suggestions and proposals built upon conversations within the campus communities. Involvement was sought out at different levels. For example, as part of a course project at Med High, students developed and proposed a calendar for the 2016-17 school year. Students presented their proposal to the district committee at the March 2016 EIC meeting. Many of their recommendations were included in the approved 2016-17 school calendar.

The district’s EIC evaluated and discussed the different proposals submitted, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each one to the district community, before selecting the one to be taken to the STISD Board of Directors for approval.

The approved calendar is in line with the new state laws changing instructional requirements from days to total minutes of instruction. This state change provides more flexibility in calendar development.

Instruction will begin on Monday, Aug. 22, and will end on Thursday, June 1.

Holidays will include:

September 5: Labor Day

October 10: Columbus Day

November 21-25: Thanksgiving

December 19-30: Christmas

February 20: Presidents Day

March 13-17: Spring Break

April 14, 17: Easter Break

Two holidays have been identified as “weather make-up days,” in case of any school cancellations due to inclement weather. Those days are Feb. 20 and April 17.

There are a number of days highlighted in yellow throughout the calendar. These are the State Student Assessment Days for the year. Campuses will provide additional information to students and families about what testing will occur and when as the dates get closer.

Increased flexibility in the calendar development is evidenced through the addition of “Enrichment Days” for students. There are four of these days included in the calendar – two in the fall and two in the spring. These days will be used by the campuses to provide students with learning experiences that extend beyond the regular curriculum. Tentative dates are listed within the calendar – Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 – however, they are subject to change at the campuses’ discretion.

The calendar also has four Exam Tutorial Days – two in the fall and two in the spring – highlighted in orange in the calendar. Campuses are also able to change these dates to suit their needs.

In this year’s calendar, there will be four Staff Development days – Aug. 15, 16, 17 and 18 – and five Teacher Work Days – Aug. 19, Jan. 2, June 2 and two flex teacher work days. The district also added Instructional Design Days – Jan. 16 and 17 – for additional staff development. There will be no classes on these days.

For additional information and to view the calendar in its entirety, please click here.